There’s been a lot of chatter about the first hole at Jones Supreme this year in Emporia …
Leave it to EMac to kick off Worlds with a tall, merciless task.
The hole’s short, coming in at nearly 292 feet. It’s a downhill throw, requiring players to hit a relatively tight gap, as there are trees on both sides of the fairway. The elevated basket is perched atop a raised, island green that’s surrounded by rocks. There’s OB short and long of the basket. Should you miss the island, your 45-foot, drop-zone putt for par is of the “death” variety …
Remember: There’s OB long of the basket.
Crappy description aside, see this monster for yourself:
Tattar on a tear, Kristin Tattar pushes to 10 down at Jones Supreme for the solo lead @PDGA Worlds. pic.twitter.com/bdTcKdrCai
— Disc Golf Pro Tour (@DiscGolfProTour) August 30, 2022
People have complained about this thing: fans, players and even a few media members.
I won’t mince words: I freaking love it.
If there’s one thing disc golf needs WAY more of it’s “risk-reward” holes.
Usually, risk-reward holes result in a two-stroke swing. Players who play a short par-four safely are rewarded with a birdie. Go for the green off the tee, however, and the eagle’s there. Mess up the tee shot, though, and you’ll probably earn yourself a par – which feels like a bogey.
The birdie-or-bogey setup is common, as well.
Back to the first hole at Jones Supreme: With the drop-zone putt a long, double-elevated bid for par, it’s pretty easy to toss long of the basket and end up OB, yet again. So, instead of the traditional, two-stroke gamble, it’s not too uncommon to see players double-bogey …
Holy shnikies.
The biggest argument against high-pressure starting holes is two-fold:
- Part No. 1 – Fans shouldn’t be deflated by poor play right out of the gate.
- Part No. 2 – Stressed players have the right to steadily ease into their rounds.
I don’t buy either for one second.
First, fans want drama – risk-reward holes INSTANTLY deliver on that front.
Second, if it’s a “ceremonial first pitch” players are looking for, they can just lay-up, play it safe and move onto the second hole. Nobody’s put a gun to their head, requiring them to “go for it.”
Still, check the round-one numbers on the first hole at Jones Supreme …
It played plenty interesting for the men:
- Stat No. 1 – It was the second-hardest hole on the course, playing 0.3 strokes over par.
- Stat No. 2 – A whopping 48% of the field bogeyed or double-bogeyed the hole.
- Stat No. 3 – Respectably, 32% of the field managed to birdie the hole, too.
* Note: Fifty-seven percent of the FPO field carded a bogey or worse – madness to the max.
As disc golf grows and the level of professional play improves, the sport will need to get harder. What I love most about the risk-reward offer is that it tests golfers both physically and mentally. There’s no better way to start a round than with a birdie. The opposite of that is true, as well …
Painfully true.
Kudos to the tournament directors willing to kick things off with a bang …
In blogging, if everybody loves what you’re writing, you’re not really doing much of anything. I’ve never designed a course in my life, but I have to think the same mentality applies …
Long live the “mozzarella sticks.”
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Review: ‘The Holy Shot’ (watch it before Worlds)
- Emporia: Why I want Paul McBeth to win Worlds
- Reality check: Not many disc golfers can win Worlds
Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.
